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Tiny Expo took place this Saturday, December 10th from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Braun Court in Kerrytown. Tiny Expo lived up to its name–it truly was tiny. The event was somewhat difficult to find, as I was previously unfamiliar with Braun Court, and there were only a few little signs posted on the doors of the two small buildings indicating that the expo was taking place inside. There were a handful of artists with tables of artwork and crafts for sale. Although none of the items were a good fit for my own Christmas shopping, I was pleased to see that some of the items were reasonably priced for being hand-made by local artists. Some of my favorite items being sold included adorable cards created by Alisa  Bobzien (http://www.etsy.com/shop/theSIBLINGshop), cute handmade Simpli Jessi dolls and bears (http://www.etsy.com/people/simplijessi?ref=ls_profile),

and unique White Owl jewelry (  http://www.etsy.com/shop/whiteowl).

Even though the expo was small, and I personally didn’t find anything I wanted to buy, it was still really interesting to see what local artists are creating. I felt like there are many more local artists that were not at the expo, and I would love to see a larger expo with more artist participation. To see a full listing of the artists that were at the expo, and to check out some of their work, go to http://tinyexpo.com/.

Porscha Kazmierczak’s senior thesis, The Mystery of Irma Vep, was an amazing adventure that was a great break from studying for finals because it provided plenty of laughter and relieved stress. The play runs December 8 through 10 and there are shows at 7pm and 11pm. I went to the 11pm showing on December 9 and the audience were just as good for the show as the actors. It was amazing that two actors played every character in the show and it was highly entertaining. The thing that impressed me the most was how the actors could go from playing a completely different role in a matter of seconds and they always stayed true to whatever character they were playing. Eric Krawczyk and Jackson Pierce were both able to maintain four different characters and switch easily between them as well as deal with quick costume changes. It really displayed the talent of the acting and directing at the University of Michigan because the script as well as how it was portrayed were perfect.

The supplementary actors were great as well. There was an actor who prompted applause, laughter, and gasps with signs and this added to the comedic atmosphere of the play. The sound designer was so good. He sat on the side of the stage and played different sounds depending on what was happening in the scene. He was very into the play and it was obvious that he was having a good time, which made the audience have a good time as well. The actors were not afraid to show a large amount of expression and they even interacted with the audience quite a lot.

The sets of the play were interesting as well because there were different backdrops and they were wonderfully designed. The main sitting of the play was Mandacrest manor and it looked like a genuine mansion.  I have yet to see a play at the Walgreen Drama Center that I did not love. I feel so privileged to see these amazing plays and musicals for free only five minutes away from my dorm. I would recommend that anyone who does not mind commuting to north campus or is already there to see any play put on at the Walgreen Drama Center. Before I came to the University of Michigan I did not have opportunities to see beautifully casted and directed play like this one, so I am extremely content that I have that opportunity now. Take advantage of the talent we have here!

This Thursday night, December 8th, at the Union Ballroom, Michigan  dance crews will be competing for $450 and the title of Michigan’s Best Dance Crew! If you like MTV’s America’s Best Dance Crew, you should definitely make it out to this free event. Just like the TV show, audience votes will determine the winner, so a big, enthusiastic audience is a must!

This Saturday, December 10th, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. come check out Ann Arbor’s Tiny Expo at 327 Braun Court, across from the Kerrytown Market. Tiny Expo is an indie Christmas arts and crafts fair, featuring a variety of local artists. If you’re looking for some unique gifts to bring home to your family and friends, or if you’re simply looking for something fun to do on a lazy Saturday afternoon, you should come to Tiny Expo! The event is free, but bring some cash in case you want to buy something. For more information, check out the event website at http://tinyexpo.com/.

Comedy Jamm at the Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase last night was interesting, as always. 12 comedians took the stage, bringing with them the good, the bad, and the ugly of comedic attempts. Only a few of the 12 were really funny, a few were somewhat painful to watch, and the rest were somewhere in between. For the most part, the night was anti-climactic. I always hope to find a comedian who is really funny, who gets a genuine laugh from me and the rest of the crowd. People who go to comedy clubs love to laugh–that’s what we’re there for. There were a few jokes that made me sincerely burst out into laughter, but for most of the show the audience gave a courtesy-laugh so  the comedians would feel comfortable.

Even though I didn’t find a new favorite comedian last night, I still really enjoyed myself. With 12 comedians all giving their stories and observations, you’re bound to find a few jokes to be laugh-worthy. I realized that the search for good comedy is half the fun, and Comedy Jamm is a great, cheap way to hear new comedians do their thing. Through all of the bad jokes, the uncomfortable sexual or racist jokes, the awkward comedian who refers to the scribbles in his notebook on stage, it feels really good to finally see someone with a good sense of humor, who points out what’s funny about everyday life.  The comedy club is a great place to get away from the pressures and stresses of being a student and remember that life isn’t meant to be taken so seriously.